PIP assessment lies!

wood73

hi

my wife just received a decision letter refusing PIP, she scored zero on every section.

she is practically deaf yet they say she can hear alarms and things when clearly they were told she cannot.

it was a telephone assessment and I was present and helping to explain yet the report says she managed the call with no problems.

luckily i used forethought as I have been through this myself and recorded the entire call so have the proof they lied.

How do I approach this?

Rachel_Scope

Hi @wood73. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Unfortunately, this can be quite common with the first stage of a PIP claim. The next thing to do would be a Mandatory Reconsideration. There is a one month deadline for this from when you received your decision. Here's some information on how to start the process: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/challenging-pip-or-other-benefits-decisions .

With regards to recording the call. Unfortunately, if you didn't get their prior permission you will not be able to use the recording as evidence. You can use it as a reference when writing your appeal though so you can be detailed in what you would like them to look at again.

We have a lot of members who have been through this process and will be able to relate to your situation. I also have personal experience of this and I understand how upsetting it is to see that they claim you are capable of doing things that you aren't.

luvpink

@wood73

Hi I'm very sorry to hear that.

Did your wife request a paper based assessment as a 'reasonable adjustment'?

Or a video call?

It seems ludicrous she had a telephone assessment.

wood73

to be honest it was just expected to be a face to face, but she had a txt to say when a telephone was taking place. I thought it would probably be ok as I was on hand to help and although I answered a few questions and repeated the assessors questions to my wife the decision said she was able to manage the telephone conversation unaided.

This happened to me a few years ago and obviously a lot of others, makes me wonder how the lying can be allowed to continue.

luvpink

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1123548#Comment_1123548

Yes I agree.

You can now either challenge the decision by requesting a tribunal hearing or re-apply and specifically request a paper based assessment.

I would recommend enlisting the assistance of citizens advice or a local disability advocate service.